Pursuit through Little Rock with stolen Dodge Challenger (altered VIN Plate) #arkansasstatepolice

Trooper's Report:

On November 13, 2023, at approximately 1:06 P.M., I was on Interstate 630 East at Rodney Parham on routine patrol. While
observing traffic I noticed a black Dodge Challenger displaying Arkansas Tag (ARX97R), returning to a 2008 Toyota Camry.

I activated my emergency blue lights and the suspect vehicle (S-1) began to flee recklessly through traffic. After crossing
multiple lanes of traffic without signaling, S-1 merged onto the south roadside shoulder and continued driving east towards Pine
and Cedar Streets. S-1 made a right turn onto the Pine and Cedar Street exit ramp and then made another right turn onto 11th
Street. S-1 accelerated to speeds above 100 M.P.H through the residential neighborhood before proceeding west on 12th
Street. Once I turned onto 12th Street, S-1 began to evade at a high rate of speed and drove into the oncoming traffic lane. S-1
ran the red light at 12th Street and University. Once I crossed the intersection at 12th Street and University, S-1 had gained a
substantial distance between my unit and his. I saw S-1 make a right turn onto Rodney Parham and then lost sight of the
vehicle.

Trooper Smith regained sight of the vehicle at Rodney Parham and Interstate 630. I became secondary in the pursuit at this
time. S-1 continued to flee at a high rate of speed through city streets and ran the red light at Mississippi and Markham.
Trooper Kemp could still see the vehicle and stated he made a left turn onto Cantrell Road. Once we approached Cantrell
Road, we lost sight of the suspect and discontinued the pursuit.

A Little Rock Police Department Unit discovered the suspect vehicle at 3 Iowa Cir. Little Rock, AR 72227. I arrived on scene
and made contact with civilians in the area regarding the suspect vehicle being parked in front of the house. The homeowner of
the house the suspect vehicle was parked in front of was having the lawn serviced by Mr. Lopez. Lopez
stated that he saw the suspect exit the vehicle and run behind the house. Lopez stated he was blowing the leaves and heard a
vehicle driving extremely fast, which scared him because the vehicles typically drive slow in the neighborhood. Lopez said
hearing the car made him pay close attention to who was driving due to the circumstances. I asked Lopez to describe the
suspect and if the person driving the vehicle was the same person that I showed him from the registered owner of the fictitious
tag. Mr. Lopez said it was a younger black male and verified his identity after seeing a driver’s license photo via ACIC. The
driver was identified as Markevus Deshun Taggart. Mr. Lopez verified that he was the operator and sole
occupant in the vehicle and that he fled on foot from the vehicle.

After speaking with civilians in the area I began to investigate the vehicle. I looked at the vehicle identification number (VIN) on
the front driver side dash and determined the vehicle’s VIN plate appeared altered. I continued my investigation and determined
the vehicle’s VIN plates had been altered from 2C3CDZBTXKH641785 to 2C3CDZAG5KH557507. The vehicle's true VIN
number is 2C3CDZBTXKH641785. A check through NCIC revealed that this vehicle was stolen out of North Little Rock in 2021.

I began to inventory the vehicle and discovered the suspect's information in the vehicle. I discovered a Social Security Card
with the name of Markevus Deshun Taggart. I also located an RNR lease order form with Taggart's name, date of birth, driver's
license number, and address. Taggart additionally had an Amazon package with his name on it and the mother of his child’s
address. Taggart left the Dealer License Plate Registration form returning to Ashley Auto Sales and an insurance card with
Ashley Auto Sales as the insurer in the car.